Publix's Best Prepared Food By Far Rivals A Best-Selling Costco Item

Costco's rotisserie chicken may have cult status among its members, but it isn't the only store slinging freshly cooked birds to happy customers. One of our writers took to the deli at Publix, an employee-owned grocery store chain with locations throughout the southeastern United States, to see which of the prepared food offerings was best, and found a clear winner: The Mardi Gras roasted chicken.

Publix has four roasted chicken flavors available on its website — Original, Lemon Pepper, Mojo, and Mardi Gras — with Mardi Gras being the most cryptic of the options. "It reminded me of blackened seasoning, a Cajun spice blend that contains plenty of garlic powder, smoky paprika, and a dash of cayenne," our writer described. They also noted that the flavor permeated the meat instead of just sitting on the skin, "making for shredded rotisserie leftovers that brought way more than just bland protein to my prepped meals."

The price for a roasted chicken from Publix hovers around $9.00 depending on your location, which is significantly more than the $4.99 price tag on a Costco rotisserie chicken. While our writer acknowledged that you can't beat the price-per-pound at Costco, the flavor of Publix's offering — plus the crispy skin and tender, juicy meat — truly won them over.

Our writer isn't the only one who loves Publix's Mardi Gras roasted chicken. "This unique seasoning blend offers a delightful taste experience that is both savory and exhilarating," says one TikTok reviewer.

To match the flavor profile of the Mardi Gras chicken, grab the ingredients to make a few classic Cajun sides during your next trip to Publix. Okra immediately comes to mind — our recipe for pan-fried okra keeps it crispy, not slimy — as does braised collard or mustard greens. You'll also want a starch or grain like potato salad, rice, or biscuits.

Succotash is also a classic, combining veggies like corn, green beans, peppers, lima beans, and herbs. But if you've never had maque choux before, now is the time to branch out. It's similar to succotash, but corn is the true star of the show. There's also bacon, jalapeños, and chicken stock or milk, plus plenty of spices, and it's a Cajun side dish you should definitely try at least once.